UN Medical Services

Is it possible for a prestigious medical clinic in New York City to exist if many of the hired doctors and registered nurses are not fully trained and licensed to practice medicine in New York State?

Actually, “yes.”

The United Nations Medical Services Division (UN MSD) operates a walk-in occupational health clinic on the fifth floor of the UN Secretariat building in the heart of Manhattan. Ironically, the Director of the UN MSD, is not a licensed physician in the State of New York. More shocking, Fox News on April 29, 2009 revealed that these so-called doctors and nurses have been distributing prescribed narcotics to themselves, which is strictly prohibited by the United States federal government’s Controlled-Substances Act and New York State law.

The US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) enforces the Controlled-Substances Act that requires a licensed physician to write a prescription in triplicate form to offer the patient the opportunity to purchase the prescribed medication at a pharmacy. The doctor must give a medical reason for why the patient must take the medicine.

Accordingly, a health clinic, which prescribes controlled-substances, must maintain a narcotics log book that details information of all the prescriptions previously written; including: the patient’s name, doctor’s name, date prescribed, medicine, its quantity and use instructions, medical reason for the drug and the DEA number associated with it. The clinic administrators must hand over the narcotics log book to the DEA upon request or face felony charges that may result in the forced closure of the clinic.

Writing a prescription in triplicate form is of great significance, since one of the 3 papers goes to the patient, the other for the doctor to record on the narcotics log book, and the third for the DEA. Allegedly, the UN MSD failed to follow proper legal procedures in distributing prescribed narcotics to patients and to themselves, since they may have been using the drugs to self-medicate themselves for recreational purposes. After Fox News broke the UN narcotics scandal, other news websites exposed more damaging evidence about the UN MSD and allegations of a cover-up scheme to protect the criminal accomplices and hide or tamper with the evidence.

As the scandal became public knowledge, the UN announced that it would conduct a formal internal investigation on the UN MSD, but the UN Undersecretary General for Management Angela Kane appeared to have contradicted herself at a press briefing on May 21, 2009. She claimed that the UN officially closed the investigation and cleared all individuals implicated with the narcotics scandal of any wrong-doing with the exception of a so-called whistle-blower. In her own words, she threatened to “sanction” the whistle-blower.

Nevertheless, the UN had never verifiably proven that the UN officially ended its investigation on the UN MSD, nor had these staff members been really cleared of wrong-doing. If so, why didn’t the UN submit official documents to the media revealing a closure of the investigation?

Yet, news websites also exposed more stunning revelations about staff members working at the UN MSD. A licensed UN nurse, had been moonlighting in the evenings as a cabaret singer, according to the Cabaret Hotline website, which posted her performance schedule. A UN MSD’s head nurse, faces criminal charges filed against her by the New York Police Department. She is accused of making threats against one fellow nurse and physically assaulting two other UN employees.

Another unlicensed UN nurse, had never obtained a proper medical license from her country of origin, Nigeria. Internal UN documents disclose that she received millions of dollars of payments from the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) to fund her NGO, the Sudan Army Wives’ Club, which was actually used for her own personal finances. ECOSOC is supposed to distribute financial and material aid to third world countries to help impoverished citizens, not the wealthy elite.

Apparently, this unlicensed UN nurse attended medical summits in Nigeria that were partly funded by Planned Parenthood, even though abortion laws in that country are very restrictive. She traveled using first-class accommodations and billing her expenses to the UN. One budget report submitted by her reveals that she may have requested the UN to pay more than $100,000 for a one-night hotel stay in Lagos, Nigeria on November 27, 2007.

A simple public records check reveals that unlicensed UN nurse currently resides in a multi-million dollar town home on 34th Ave in New York City. Supposedly, two days after a news website posted an expose on her alleged misdeeds, her husband, a very high ranking UN official with the UN peacekeeping forces, was asked to resign and officially retire within three months.

Yet, the UN MSD continues to operate the medical clinic as if the scandals had caused no damage to its reputation. The above mentioned head nurse is still the boss of the nurses, while not facing any disciplinary actions. The other above mentioned two unlicensed UN nurses appear at the clinic on a daily basis.

UN MSD Director appears to fail to properly supervise his subordinates, while some high level UN officials are beginning to question his integrity and management skills. If these shocking allegations can be proven true, then why is the UN MSD Director permitted to work there?

The future of the UN MSD remains in doubt, since we have obtained many official pages of internal UN documents that will reveal more damaging evidence of the UN MSD in future posts. We also have documents that expose nefarious deeds occurring at other agencies working inside the United Nations as well.

20 Comments

Interestingly, since this article published many issues unfolded. Of utmost importance is fact that the UNDT ruled that the UN organ, (OIOS) own office of investigators were found guilty of “Tampering with all the Evidence” on this case to avoid exposure. In fact,Chief of OIOS Michael Dudley openly admits he tampered with evidence and indirectly was marching to the orders of then USG Angela Kane and met with her behind closed doors. Dudley, then in fact stated; “that if he was not protected that he would bring them all down”, as quoted in this same ruling. The Honorable Judge Meeran comments on this “toxic relationship with management” in his ruling. See attached ruling: (Available on the Google search engine). This case in its entirety is still actively under under investigation.

First of all I think UN is an Diplomatic Organization could buy what they like from any Country bringing inside US through the Diplomatic Luggage (that’s Organization’s affair organizing themselves as they like for the interest of the Staff, everything is properly documented, registered, and they have their own Audit controlling offices which time to time play their roles).

Then about saying so called Physicians: these of so called Physicians are well trained qualified and could be with valuable experience without having the USA Medical License and that is due to business-making on the Medical Licensing, as there it’s programmed to block the Foreign Physicians to practice inside the USA.

I would like to remind here that in 70s when US was needing physicians, it was taking Foreign Physicians after passing only Exam “giving the License” and with very low fee or it was without fee “while today there are 3 steps and Medical System Programmers are asking to pay a big-sum for every Steps’ exam, why making it so difficult today? The reality is that it’s well known that the USA needs more Physicians, but due to business-making is not permitted to have those more needed Physicians: there should be changes, and then also Insurances will be cheaper, but the Medical System is controlling protecting their interests and that is why not permitting for the change in order to get more physicians in the Country).

Make it easy payments and examine as you like choosing the best doctors of the World without calling so called physicians!

I have been working with the United Nations over ten years and have been insured with Van Breda. My family members and I hardly ever make claims (maybe once a year for very limited treatments and spectacles) all of which are properly documented. Yet more often than not items are not cleared for reimbursement though they fully meet criteria and additional information is required – just now I was asked to provide for each of a couple of receipts for treatment of my daughter of about USD5 (five!) for each ‘detailed bills indicating exact treatment given, the dates for the treatment and the price paid for each treatment” and ‘pharmaceutical leaflets’ for medicines of similar amounts. Clearly, these are tactics to discourage those insured pursuing their rightful claims, backed by the lack of choice international UN staff outside the US have with regard to an insurance company – Van Breda being the mandatory provider. Also, they only cover 80% of treatment cost. Another amazing feature of the high cost van Breda insurance is that it does not cover any treatment above US100,000 – so if really high cost medical insurance is required, Van Breda won’t cover it…

Makes perfect sense. Where ever there are drugs there is violence, assaults, manipulation, and as the cliche goes… Sex – Drugs – Lies.
In many cases, bullying is also prevalent. What is puzzling is why would a USG implicate themselves in a narcotic scandal and sanction a whistleblower? Let alone, would the UN impose sanctions on Iran or Korea? My concern is for the safety and protection of this whistleblower? He/she took alot of courage as a “Civil Servant” of the UN acting on behalf to protect the best interest of the staff. Sanction? I do not get it? Are we missing something here? Something is drastically wrong with this picture. This person was a hero. No clinic should be operational under all these conditions and standards, let alone at the United Nations?

Update: The UN has finally acted! The […] Head Nurse is gone and the Deputy Director’s post has not been renewed. The Assistant Nurse to the Head Nurse referred to as the bleached blonde Cabaret singer was spotted on 42nd street by UN Staffers. We will keep the UN Post updated on this status. This Asst Head Nurse not only violated the UN Charter by working the Cabarets on 57th St., but reports per […] confirmed she was working under the influence while in a managerial position under narcotics. Lastly, per the code of conduct and ethics in Nursing, soliciting patients for sexual favors is a serious violation. […] an Australian UN Security Guard confirmed reports during a Travel Clearance Exam to East Timor this same Nurse propositioned him. Not only did this Nurse violate the Nurse-patient relationship, she coached […] how to file a Workers Compensation claim. Whereby, […] remained off work for nearly 4 months and informed his colleagues he had a waterborne illness to avoid his East Timor Mission assigment. At that time he boasted he took an extravacant vacation with the MSD Asst Head Nurse and took residence with her. The Asst. Head Nurse has solicitied and propostioned several other patients of same. As noted these were shocking revelations. The DEA treaty obligations with the UN – INCB Board are not immune to prosecution. All UN staffers feared seeking treatment after reading this article. As a UN employee frequently utilizing the MSD service these conditions are deplorable and we are awaiting anxiously to read from the UN Post a full report, so patients can receive professional services and avoid such solicitations nor be at risk being treated by staff working under the influence of controlled substances in a medical setting. We pride the UN to secure all staff.

Just to update about our appeal to UN Health & Insurance to consider cost effective Ayurvedic treatment regime as a valid option to the insured clients when such a treatment is seen and proved to be more effective, less intrusive and with no side effects.
It is now more than six months since the UN Health & Insurance promised to review the appeal and come with their decision. Despite several reminders, nothing happened. We have no idea whether the review is still on or just buried, don’t care about the retiree clients.
Do we have to go to UN Disputes Tribunal for such routine affairs? If so, it seems clear that the UN bureaucracy is not going to move their “!??” unless someone gives a strong kick. This is no way to run an organization which never fails to boast as humanitarian-torch bearer and does precious little to translate its motto into daily happening.

Besides UN NYHQ Medical story, the Health & Life Insurance Section of UN operates out-sourced medical insurance for UN staff and retirees around the world, outside USA. The agency administering the facility is Van Breda International, a reputable Belgian outfit, however its staff managing the Kuala Lumpur office in Malaysia, to service Asian UN staff and retirees, though they are indeed quite a nice lot to deal with, seem not fully familiar with generally accepted medical practices in the region.
For example, Indian Govt long recognised Ayurvedic treatment for a number of ailments, and allow reimbursements, because the treatment line & therapy are well researched, analyzed, accepted and proven effective for ages. The treatment is non-invasive and does not produce unwanted side effects or contra-results, like western medicines, and mostly less expensive.
Interestingly, people from western countries come to India for Ayurvedic treatment, even after some unsuccessful interventions in their own countries, as it is also a popular alternate medical therapy available in many parts of USA.
All the well-recognized Ayurvedic clinics and hospitals in India are recognized by national Medical Council and are subject to periodic review and programme/medical audit.
It is therefore important Van Breda’s staff is fully trained/briefed of some of the well-recognised local medical practices and treatment regimes. Also, they should be told that the general operational procedure codes drafted by the UN Health & Life Ins. Section and Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights provide freedom of choice in the selection of medical therapies suited to ailments and patient preference.

Thanks to the host-country agreement, much of what is happening within the UN walls do not come under the scanner of any local regulatory norms or laws. MSD is similar to the notorious UN internal justice mechanism, though the latter is said to be “reforming” now!

It is then NO wonder how an international organisation like UN, of which the well-known medical expertise of WHO is a part, cannot follow the best and universal medical standards in the running of its MSD.

It is already time that the international organisation set highest standards in all its operational areas and ensure these are enforced without any hesitation and distinction. When can we make UN as a model of good governance – after another 60 years?

The UN structures, processes and procedures are antiquated and in desperate need of immediate and drastic change, update and reform, however, it is the internal culture of abuse and impunity that is embodied by many of the UN bosses, that culture is the biggest obstacle to reforming the UN, as these abusive bosses resist any real UN reform while paying grandiose lib service to UN reform.

Hence, the argument that the UN is beyond reform and the argument that it is time to do away with this United Nations and create a new world organization that is fair, just, responsive, streamlined, effective, efficient and self sustaining without veto powers at the international level and without impunity of abusive or corrupt bosses at the internal level.

As to the UN Medical Services Division, no change has taken place since The UN Post broke this story more than 6 months ago, July 12, 2009.

Only one major and real concern! Anywhere else the patients safety comes first! We can not believe the UN actually is allowing “Unlicensed Nurses” with no Nursing degrees even in their country of origin to give injections while Managers are as said, working under the influence? Is it closed yet? A public broadcast needs to be made! “Patients have a Bill of Rights!” Yea?
If a patient died how can an SG allow this to go on??? Petition!

The UN MSD Clinic is still open, and to the best of our knowledge, the above reported violations were not corrected. We will continue to report on the situation in the UN MSD. We welcome your further comments and your articles.

To our knowledge MSD made a few corrections. The […] Head Nurse was removed and the Deputy Directors post was not renewed. Posts have been confirmed to be abolished. 911 callls are no longer handled by MSD. An audit was conducted from Switzerland and all remaining staff are on 1 year contracts. The DEA interrogated staff members and MSD is still under intense investigation for the narcotic irregularities. Immunity does not apply, since the DEA has treaty obligations under the UN International Narcotic Bureau in Austria. Staff members involved in the narcotic irregularities await prosecution.

WIKILEAKS and MSD? The U.S. Secretary of State and CIA covert espionage of the UN as quoted, started the exact same month this article was just published. Ironic? Sorry the UN 1946 Treaty Convention this time failed. I guess it just proves how powerful that UNITED STATES really is. The UN thought they were above the law. Will see what the Wikileaks wire tapping, E-mail retrievals and spy investigations reveal? Along with the Wikileak reports and executive orders from the Commander in Chief on the Secretary Generals management of the UN and those
USG and ASG involved? Maybe they accumulated enough of their frequent flyer miles per CNN and Reuters to even flea the country before it’s to late?

MSD Credibility? None! Under the influence of controlled substances rendering medical decisions? Untenable! Finally we are reading something has been done. The Head Nurse was removed and the Deputy Directors contract was not extended. Without question this article has had the largest volume of readers after reading about the Asst. Head Nurse moonlighting as a New York Cabaret performer. I went to MSD for treatment after my Mission and was misdiagnosed, now I know why. This Cabaret Nurse spent more time fraternizing with other patients then doing her job. We are not surprized to read comments on violations of nurse-patient relationships. Coincidentally, were neighbors in Astoria. We are really concerned how far this “debauching” and “hobnobbing” amongst higher levels of UN Management in this organisation has gone, in order to secure their positions? MSD should be completely outsourced with all new blood for the benefit of all staff. Great article exposing more UN corruption. We are thankful for the UN Post bringing this to our awareness, although UN staff also heard it on FOX news or other media sources. Disgraceful to the medical profession and the UN.